print-only banner
The White House Skip Main Navigation
  
 Home > News & Policies > Policies in Focus

President George W. Bush embraces his nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona, as Dr. Elias Zerhouni, left, applauds in the East Room Tuesday, March 26. Dr. Zerhouni is nominated to be the Director of the National Institute of Health. White House photo by Tina Hager. President George W. Bush embraces his nominee for Surgeon General, Dr. Richard Carmona, as Dr. Elias Zerhouni, left, applauds in the East Room Tuesday, March 26. Dr. Zerhouni is nominated to be the Director of the National Institute of Health. White House photo by Tina Hager.

News: Speeches and Releases

  • President Announces Director of NIH and Surgeon General
  • President Bush Outlines Health Care Agenda
  • Key Components of the President's Health Care Reform Agenda
  • President Commends House Action on Patients' Bill of Rights
  • President Bush Discusses Patients' Bill of Right at Hospital
  • President Speaks to Specialty Doctors and Patients on Patients' Bill of Rights
  • President Commends Bipartisan Efforts on Patient's Bill of Rights

    Links: Related Links and Information

  • National Institutes of Health
  • The Office of the Surgeon General

    Video: Multimedia Streaming

  • President Announces Nominees for Key Health Posts
         Fact sheetRead the President's Speech

    President Bush today announced his nominees for two of the most critical health care positions in his Administration. The President has nominated experienced and highly qualified medical professionals who understand America's medical research and public health needs to serve as Director of the National Institutes of Health and as Surgeon General.

    Director of National Institutes of Health

    Dr. Elias Zerhouni is the President's nominee for Director of the NIH. He currently serves as the Executive Vice Dean of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Chairman of the Russell H. Morgan Department of Radiology and Radiological Science at Johns Hopkins and as Professor of Radiology and Biomedical Engineering. He has also served as Vice Dean for Research at The Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.

    Dr. Zerhouni will bring to the position:

    • A strong scientific research background, including work on NIH-sponsored research;
    • Experience in running a large medical research organization; and
    • Leadership on the cutting edge of medical technology.

    President Bush will direct Dr. Zerhouni to oversee the record-level federal investment in biomedical research, while ensuring that this research is conducted in an ethical way.

    Surgeon General

    Dr. Richard Carmona is the President's nominee to serve as the next Surgeon General. Dr. Carmona is currently Clinical Professor of Surgery, Public Health, and Family and Community Medicine at the University of Arizona, as well as Chairman of the State of Arizona Southern Regional Emergency Medical System. Carmona has an extensive record of public service, including serving as an Army Green Beret in Vietnam, a police officer, a SWAT team member and as a nurse. His dedication has been widely recognized: he was named Physician of the Year in 1993 for Pima County, Arizona, and he is a past recipient of the "Top Cops" award from the National Association of Police Organizations.

    Dr. Carmona will bring to the position:

    • Significant experience in managing major public health organizations;
    • A strong background in preparedness and dealing with emergencies; and
    • A commitment to prevention as an effective means to improve public health.

    President Bush announced that the next Surgeon General will address three urgent health issues:

    • Ensuring that America is prepared to respond to major public health emergencies, such as bioterrorism;
    • Leading a new initiative that focuses on prevention, fitness and healthy living as keys to reducing disease and improving medical care; and
    • Speaking out regularly to the nation about the health dangers of alcohol and drug abuse.
    • MORE»